New tractor questions

[Anonymous-0]

I would like to buy a new tractor (compact) for snow removal, gravel drive grading, clean up the woods etc.

But what I need in opinions are experience, cost of equipment, dealer network/reliablity.
I am thinking Agco or Massey ferguson models
ST24 or the 1523. I would get a rear blade and post hole digger to start with. And get the front bucket later on (due to cost)
Also what about gear transmission vs. the hydrostatic. Hydrostatic is more money and I have heard that the hydrostatic can have more problems, more stuff to break.
3 year warranty on the Agco/Massey line, and 5 year no interest payments, nice.
What do you think of Agco/Massey?
CaseIH/New holland----?
John Deere----? A deere sales guy told me that the 2305 Deere compact is $9,750, not too bad with hydrostatic trans too.
Kubota---? A friend of mine has a B7510 with the 1 liter diesel he loves it $14k with front bucket he bought his 2-3 years ago.
Cub Cadet---? (I have never seen a diesel cub) (anygood)?
All the above dealers are within 40 miles of my place.

 

[Spook]

I think there are a bunch of good choices there. I read that the new cub cadet compacts are made by Yannmar, pretty much the gold standard for those tractors. Tractorbynet.com might be a better place to ask questions, they have specific forums for each make. BTW, I find price info a little harder to get on the net.

 

[chrisalma]

I have a Newholland 1720 that I bought new in 2000 and it has been the best purchase ever made for me. I have a 5' rotor tiller,6'box blade and a landpride 6'finish mower All the rest of my tractors are red. When I was in the buying mood like you I looked at all colors and the newholland stood out. I went to trade it off for a tc45 last week at the same dealer where purchased and the salesman told me that the new t series was coming after the new year so I would like to see the new design(which is mainly decal) 995 trouble free hours. just one more note the Newholland and the caseIH are basicly the same so I think Im going red this time to match the rest of the herd. But the blue paint is just so eye catching.

 

[RobMD]

You're dang right diesel tractors are expensive.

I would shy away from the kubota as the operator platform and seat are uncomfortable (seat is on a 25 degree angle!!!!). Also, the hood is now plastic (just like anything else now) but not only that, the steering wheel is non-adjustable and held in place with crude plastic pedestal.


THe john deeres are by far the most expensive things ever, unless you get the 790 or the 40 horsepower 970. These are good stick shift tractors, VERY reliable yanmar diesel.

I know nothing about massey and the other you mentioned, but the kubota and yanmar diesels are exceptional engines.

 

[Roy in georgia]

my father-in-law bought a Montana 4x4 with loader came with a great warranty live and independent PTO good price with loader 2 years now and the only problem is that he ran out of things to do with it on a regular basis

 

[Anonymous-0]

What size Montana did he buy? I never heard of a Montana before except the Pontiac Van thing.
No dealers near me that I know of.

 

[paul]

Kubota is king of the small tractors. Any you mentioned will be good.

Montana is a much cheaper thing - you get what you pay for. I would _much_ rather have a 5 year old Kubota or NH tractor than a new Montana or other knock-off cheapie. Getting parts, service, resale value will _all_ be difficult, and it will not be as durable. Just a fact of life.

You will pay dearly for not getting the loader now. It is much more useful than anything else you mention, and costs a whole lot more to add on later, than to buy with the tractor. I think it is a mistake to get it add-on years later. I would rather save money an extra year before buying than to buy without a loader. Or get a 5-10 year old compact with loader now, and trade it up to something new if you need new in a few years. Skipping the loader, if it is something you need, is the worst way to go in my opinion.

--->Paul

 

[huntingreen]

i have a kubota 3130 32hp and love. steering wheel does tilt. seat sits fine. upgraded on the larger front end loader when i bought it. i would not have one without a front end loader if one was all i was going to own.

 

[Anonymous-0]

As some others have stated below; DO NOT get a small utility tractor without the front end loader from day one. Might as well not have the tractor. The FEL is what you will use every day. I could not live in the country without my FEL; constantly moving things, lifting things, piling in tools, lifting people to get at things, etc. etc. Besides you will pay thousands more if you wait and then add on. The dealers usually have a package price with FEL. I own a New Holland 1630 hydrostatic, but I have to admit Kubota is king in the utility tractors. One local dealer sells both Case International, Kubota, the new Yanmar powered Cub Cadets. He did sell MF, but they pulled his license because he sell so many Kubotas. He has sold over 300 Kubotas this year and 6 Case-Intl. Tom

 

[caterpillar guy]

The montana is some of the foreign made junk from India or Pakistan.

 

[suptscottyb]

Just a thought.
If you can get away from buying new you will find there are some barely used late model tractors out there. You can get a better tractor for the money. People buy them and then find they can't afford to keep it or don't use it as they thought. Neighbor has one of those new Kabota 33hp tractors with every attatchment they make. 3 years old for sale 20 thousand dollars. Bet he has closer to 40 invested.....

 

[Anonymous-0]

Avoid Chinese tractors. Stick with a well established brand and dealer. Most all the small models of the big brands are Japanese and good quality. For a compact tractor, four wheel drive is a must.

 

[HuskerMedic]

McCormick? Anybody with any experience with them?

 

[phillip d]

Does anyone have any knowledge about Kioti's?You know,the ones that look almost exactly like Kubota's but aren't???

 

[Texasmark]

I stated this before elsewhere, but it deserves to be considered.

I have about 40 acres in hay cultivation to feed my cows and sell, if the volume is adequate. Plus I have land use and feedlot duties to perform. I also need the ability to unload 5x6 round bales off 18 wheelers.

I have a 4230 Deere (100 pto hp) with cab that I use for my initial plowing and running my 5x6 round baler. Other than that, it's overkill, on diesel, and convenience.

I also have some utility tractors for various jobs around the place and had a loader on a JD 4010 2wd which is about 80 hp and still quite large, cumbersome, and the 2wd is definitely lacking.

In April I decided that I could wiggle the purchase of a new tractor into my budget and started looking. We have all the mentioned new brands (in this thread), plus the old standby's for sale in my area.

After the mess of last spring (monsoon) and getting my loader tractor stuck on a couple of occasions and it's age, I thought a mid sized tractor with cab would be the right thing. Mid size to me is about 60 hp (to get the Cat.2 hookups and all). To make it the right purchase, it would have to have a cab (for my health and convenience), 4wd (so as to have a front end to support a loader and not get stuck in that and other things) and have a loader (why not have a loader on the tractor with the heaviest duty front end with the fattest tires and all).

I shopped and priced all summer and had all but given up when in September I was "rubbernecking" as I was driving down the road and saw a row of really sharp looking red tractors. Never saw this before.

I investigated and found exactly what I wanted and it had a naturally aspired 4 cylinder (not 3 turbocharged) Cummins diesel engine. Hot dog.

I bought it Sept 28 and have used it extensively since then. The quality is impeccable and it is a fuel miser. You have to use it awhile to realize just how convenient the "standard" whistles and bells are, including the "air ride" seat (like in an 18 wheeler) which is standard in the 6530 I bought.

If interested in something different you might just peek at www.bransontractor.com. I got the 6530 and absolutely love it. It is doing the work I used to do with 4 tractors and it's PRETTY! Plus you get a B-B 2 year warranty and a power train 4 year warranty.

Good luck,

Mark

 

[Anonymous-0]

Agco owns MF. They are good tractors. Most, if not all compact tractors from the major brand names are Japanese tractors. They are all pretty good. I would buy a tractor from a well established dealership that will be around in 5 years and longer, when I will need some parts or service. I think that's the number one reason to be leary of a Chinese tractor, whether it is good or not. Dave

 

[Texasmark]

Go and shop your AGCO as I did, then go and look at the So. Korean built Branson. You won't go back to your AGCO dealer I assure you.

Mark